Campuses:
Twin Cities campus
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
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Twin Cities Campus
Astrophysics Ph.D.Astrophysics, Minnesota Institute for
College of Science and Engineering
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics, 356 Physics, 116 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-4811; fax: 612-626-2029)
Email:
grad-req@astro.umn.edu
Website: http://www.astro.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Astrophysics is the study of the universe and its constituent parts. The department conducts research in observational, theoretical, and computational astrophysics as well as instrument development. The main research areas include minor planetary bodies, solar system properties, dynamics of normal and active galaxies, stellar evolution, interaction of stars with their environments, the interstellar medium, astrophysical magnetohydrodynamics, and galactic and cosmological structure. Observational research includes activities that cover X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths. Extensive research programs in space physics, nucleosynthesis, and the elementary particle-cosmology interface are also carried out in interdisciplinary connections with the graduate program in physics.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
For major work, an undergraduate degree in astronomy or physics or the equivalent is required. Contact the Graduate Studies Committee for exceptions.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
A statement of career goals, scores from the GRE General (Aptitude) Test and Subject (Advanced) Test in physics, and three letters of recommendation are required. Applications for financial aid are due January 10. Students are admitted fall semester only.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
The preferred English language test is Test of English as Foreign Language.
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
28
credits are required in the major.
12 credits are required outside the major. 24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 40 course credits, including a year of classical physics (PHYS 5011-5012) and 12 credits in a minor or supporting program; 24 thesis credits are also required. The graduate written examination, held during spring term, must be passed on the second "real" attempt (first-year students are given a free trial). A second-year project must be defended by the end of the fall semester of the third year. The preliminary oral exam must be passed by the end of the third year. Ordinarily these two oral exams are combined.
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